The number of tourists entering Baguio city may decrease due to the tightened protocols caused by the COVID-19 Delta variant, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said this Tuesday.
“Ibababa na natin yung daily number of tourist… Mabuti na ibaba na natin dahil tumataas na yung kaso natin dito,” said Magalong.
The restriction already includes requiring tourists 17 years and under to undergo an RT-PCR test.
“Inimplement na natin yung RT-PCR requirement from place of origin ng mga travelers na 17 year old and below… So we expect a significant decrease in the number of tourists dito sa lungsod ng Baguio. Maganda din yun para ma-control natin ang mobility, para maibaba ulit natin yung mga cases natin,” the mayor said.
According to the Department of Tourism-Cordillera, they understand if the city government will restrict the admission of tourists.
“Alam niyo, kailangan talaga nating gumawa ng mga stratehiya para makontrol natin yung spread of the virus. And we will support the local government units,” said DOT Cordillera officer-in-charge Jovita Ganongan.
Magalong said the city’s hospitals are ready for the Delta variant.
Baguio will tighten tourist admissions due to COVID-19 Delta variant
“I sent a message sa ating mga hospital directors to stock up, increase na nila yung kanilang imbentaryo nila ng mga remdesivir, pati na din yung procurement nila nung mga oxygen.”
He also encouraged the people of Baguio to get vaccinated.
“Binibilisan natin yung second dose natin, kaya we are encouraging our residents and constituents na huwag nang i-procrastinate ang kanilang second dose.”
Travelers who are fully vaccinated can enter and visit Baguio City even if they do not show a negative swab test result.
However, travelers are required to have a valid vaccination card or certificate as proof that they have completed their 1st and 2nd dose vaccine against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Leisure travelers to Baguio City still need to register online at visita.baguio.gov.ph and obtain a QR-coded tourist pass to be allowed to enter the city.
Tourists who have not yet completed their vaccine doses must show a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or antigen test result. Baguio also implements mandatory triage when entering the city for health and documents verification.
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